Something Every Belle Should Know!

First, I want to say hello to the increased number of readers that have been to the swing in the last few days. The Bumpkin wants to intrigue each of you with the ins and outs of life, both mine and yours, and any small part of those which may intertwine. I love that we all share our hopes, fears, weddings, babies, life, death, disappointments, and what an amazing team we all make to heal a baby with prayer, soothe a broken heart of a Girl Raised In The South, or grieve with a Mermaid. In the coming future friends, I'm going to share something with you all, my Katrina story. I want tell you of the amazing power of ordinary people. People just like me and you. I know you have heard a 1000 of those stories in the last 4 years, but I think mine is special, and I want to share it with all of you. Some things happen in life, that just change the way you think, some positive, some negative. I wouldn't share my story with just any one, but I'm looking forward to telling all of you. It sparks gratitude. What are you grateful for in your life? Now delurk dad gummit, I can't wait to meet you!

So all you southern belles know what this weekend is right?
Here's a hint for you...............



Note: If you are a Kentucky Beau or Belle, you aren't going to be entertained, go ahead and slip away to your bourbon toasts, and preparations.

I was 4 it's 1973, my grandmother Mammy, says to me, "Come sit with Mammy in front of the [huge ancient box] television, and I'm going to tell you about 3 races." She tells me of The Derby, The Preakness, and The Belmont Stakes. This started a spark in me for horse racing that just never faded away. I have found that staying abreast of the specifics of these 3 races can lead to some very interesting conversations.


Back in 1973 the first race I ever watched was the Belmont Stakes where this beauty Secretariat won the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown requires the same horse to win all 3 races. Triple Crown winners are rare, and Mammy just didn't want me to miss this historical event. I watched Seattle Slew win it in 1977, and Affirmed in 1978. I have been let down every year since. Since 1900 21 horses have won the first 2 races but only to lose the last. This was the case last year, and several other years in the recent past. You get to the Big Day, thinking this is it, this year this is it. Nope 8th place!


Last year was a heartbreaker. A Philly was in The Derby. Very rare for a female horse. Of course she was my pick, and I rooted her on. Eight Belles gave it everything she had. She finished 2nd, but broke both of her ankles and had to be euthanized right on the track. You know how devastated I was. I barely even watched the potential Triple Crown, and investigated horse racing, to insure that it was humane to the animals.

This year's big contender is I Want Revenge. I'm picking Friesan Fire the fourth choice, but he's trained by Larry Jones the same who trained Eight Belles. He needs a little life, dontcha think?
Break out your best hat, fix you a Mint Julep, and join in the fun. Watch the hats, but take a gander at the purses and dresses too! I have seen some great clutches at The Derby. Anyone else have the fever?

Love,
The Bumpkin

And I Quote........

You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.
—Wayne Gretzky

Love This One!

Bloomin Idiots!

Even though these pictures are at least 10 days old, I still wanted to give you a glimpse of the blooms. It's a glorious thing, my Valentine's greenhouse. It's like a garden on NOS! Here are the mixed baskets we planted a few weeks ago. I am going to hate to sell these, I really wanna keep them all!

We are going to have tomatoes before long..Jo has promised My John fried green tomatoes, so tomatoes are a new priority in the yard!

Well, he never promised me a rose garden, but I did manage to swing this beauty in the deal. I would love to have a pair of shoes in this exact shade. I would say Scarlet, what would you say?

Hold on, we didn't grow this one, but I want to tell it's story. These washed up from the houses destroyed down the road on the Gulf. There in everyone's yard here, and some folks think they are weeds. They're someone's Irises that washed up in the storm surge of Katrina. The neighbors mow them down, we are letting them grow.

Been spending some time here lately, getting a little warm here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Love these mini-petunias.

This is a squash ya'll, Nice bloom uh? The little squash just pops out the middle. I'll show ya soon!

This is my favorite of the mixed baskets we planted...

I'll be here reading Twilight this weekend? Laci's coming tomorrow, should be a little excitement on the back porch! Have a gorgeous weekend! May the sun shine some special rays on you my blogger friends!
Coffee is at 2pm, stop on by anytime!

Love,
The Bloomin Bumpkin

And I Quote!

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
~Audrey Hepburn

Michelle Obama A Class Act!

For my faithful readers, you'll remember when I mentioned I thought I was really going to like this lady! Here's a link to that post if you missed it.

Well, I'm sure now. Did you read her in Oprah last month? Class Act.......hands down. He calls to tell her he signed a huge economy bill to save our country, and she says. "Well, that's nice Barrack, but we have ants!" Love it!

Her fashion sense? Well, hop on over to one of my favorite hippie sites, and let aaryn belfer tell it in her words. Right On Michelle!!!!! You Go First Lady, making history by KEEPING IT REAL!
Great Turtle Race updates later tonight!
Love,
The Bumpkin

Lack of Preparation.......

The Bumpkin did the unthinkable last year. I remodeled two rooms in my home, and turned them into a large office where these words are written, and we run his and her businesses. So in all the construction my organization was reduced to...
Stuff these receipts here, "file" this in a Wal-mart bag, or this odd envelope, and put these invoices there, and mix everything for two businesses together, and just stuff in boxes to sort later.
Bad mistake, I will repeat, BAD MISTAKE because later resulted in a few overnights of sorting receipts till 1am and running to the tax man at the last minute.
Not usually The Bumpkin's style, but my office stayed packed in boxes till at least early March of this year. I just never got around to it. I should have got around to it, at least a little earlier.
Hope this is a good year for your taxes. We made much less money, and Obama was gracious with a few extra throwbacks, so all is well in the end. In the process I did manage to organize everything for the beginning of this year, as well. You bet I'm gonna stay on top of this in 2009.
PS You remember that The Bumpkin, is an ummmmmmmm Bookkeeper for a living right? Shame, I feel total shame!
Love,
The Bumpkin Procrastinator

And I Quote.......................

God dreams bigger dreams for you, than you could ever dream for yourself!~
Oprah Winfrey to Kenny Chesney
Did any of you catch Oprah today? He's such a hottie! Happy Birthday Kenny!
Did you catch Oprah couldn't walk in her shoes? Shoes we love them, even if they kill us.
Jennifer Nettles, from Sugarland (and a true Georgia Belle) keeps it real....Oprah says "Okay what was the moment you knew you had made it?" and she said teary-eyed "Well..... this one is a pretty big one!" I ugly cried!

Dreams do come true!
So glad to be back!
Love,
The Bumpkin

The Great Turte Race 2009

I've mentioned to you all before about our commitment to the conservation of sea turtles.
Join us in a little fun starting Thursday.
11 Sea Turtles....3700 hundred miles........Eggs.....babies.....priceless
The Great Sea Turtle Race is a great lesson for the youngsters in your life. Teach them a little of what we preach to the world!!!!
Will update as soon as they get started!

Missed Ya'll
Love,
The Bumpkin